IOST’s current price stands at $0.0034**, with a 24-hour trading volume of **$6.13 million. Over the past day, IOST has seen no change in value, recording a 0.00% change. The cryptocurrency has a circulating supply of 26.21 billion IOST tokens, out of a maximum total supply of 90 billion, indicating that over 29% of the total tokens are already in circulation.
As interest in scalable blockchain solutions grows, IOST continues to position itself as a high-performance platform designed for enterprise-grade decentralized applications (dApps). This article explores the core technology, history, utility, and ecosystem of IOST—offering a comprehensive overview for investors, developers, and blockchain enthusiasts.
What Is IOST?
IOST is a scalable blockchain platform engineered to support high-throughput decentralized applications. It leverages a unique consensus mechanism called Proof of Believability (PoB) and an innovative sharding solution known as Efficient Distributed Sharding (EDS). These technologies work together to enable fast transaction processing while maintaining decentralization and security.
The native cryptocurrency, IOST token, powers the network by serving as the primary medium for transaction fees, service payments, and validator rewards. Marketed as an ultra-fast, service-oriented blockchain, IOST aims to bridge the gap between traditional businesses and decentralized infrastructure.
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A Brief History of IOST
IOST was co-founded by a team of tech entrepreneurs and researchers: Jimmy Zhong, Justin Lee, Kevin Tan, Ray Xiao, Sa Wang, and Terrence Wang. The project gained momentum with the launch of its public testnet on June 30, 2018, followed by the successful deployment of its mainnet in February 2019.
At its core, IOST introduced the concept of the Internet of Services (IOS)—a proprietary blockchain framework optimized for scalable smart contract execution. This infrastructure supports large-scale dApps that require high-speed data processing and low-latency responses, making it attractive for enterprise adoption.
To fund development, the IOST Foundation conducted a private token sale on January 3, 2018, raising approximately $35 million in Ether (ETH). The sale was exclusive to institutional investors and occurred in three stages:
- Stage 1: 200,000 IOST per ETH
- Stage 2: 150,000 IOST per ETH
- Stage 3: 100,000 IOST per ETH
A total of 21 billion tokens were minted during this event. Distribution was structured as follows:
- 40% (8.4 billion IOST) allocated to private sale participants
- 35% (7.35 billion IOST) reserved for the IOST Foundation (locked until mainnet launch)
- 12.5% (2.63 billion IOST) set aside for community incentives
- 10% (2.1 billion IOST) awarded to the founding team
- 2.5% (525 million IOST) distributed to early investors and advisors
This strategic allocation helped ensure long-term network sustainability and community engagement.
How Does IOST Work?
IOST operates as a service-oriented blockchain, targeting real-world business use cases that demand speed, scalability, and reliability. It claims the ability to process up to 100,000 transactions per second (tps)—a figure significantly higher than many competing platforms:
- Ethereum: ~20 tps
- TRON: ~2,000 tps
- EOS: ~4,000 tps
To achieve this performance, IOST integrates several advanced technologies:
- Distributed Randomness Protocol (DRP): Ensures fair node selection and prevents manipulation in consensus.
- TransEpoch: Facilitates smooth transitions between network epochs without downtime.
- Atomix: A cross-shard transaction protocol that ensures atomicity and consistency across shards.
These components work in tandem with Proof of Believability (PoB) and Efficient Distributed Sharding (EDS) to deliver both scalability and security.
Proof of Believability (PoB)
Unlike traditional proof-of-stake or proof-of-work models, PoB evaluates nodes based on multiple factors beyond just token holdings. These include:
- Token balance
- Reputation score
- Network contributions
- User behavior patterns
Nodes with higher "believability" scores are more likely to be selected for transaction validation, reducing spam and increasing efficiency. This system discourages malicious activity while rewarding trustworthy participants.
Efficient Distributed Sharding (EDS)
Sharding divides the network into smaller segments (shards), each capable of processing transactions independently. EDS enhances this model by dynamically balancing load and ensuring secure inter-shard communication. This allows IOST to scale horizontally without sacrificing security or decentralization.
What Is IOST Used For?
The IOST token—short for Internet of Services Token—plays a central role in the ecosystem’s functionality and governance.
Transaction Medium and Fee Payment
All transactions and smart contract executions on the IOST network require payment in IOST tokens. These fees compensate validators for maintaining network integrity and processing power.
Validator Incentives
Participants who run nodes or contribute computing resources earn IOST tokens as rewards. This includes those involved in:
- Smart contract execution
- Data storage provisioning
- Network monitoring
Such incentives encourage active participation and decentralization.
Believability Score Calculation
As mentioned earlier, a user’s eligibility to participate in consensus depends partly on their believability score—a metric derived from token holdings, reputation, and contribution history. Holding and staking IOST can improve one’s standing within the network.
Future Roadmap: Decentralized Stablecoin
IOST has announced plans to introduce a decentralized algorithmic stablecoin, aiming to enhance financial utility within its ecosystem. This would allow for stable-value transactions, lending, and DeFi integrations—expanding use beyond simple payments.
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These terms reflect key search intents related to technical understanding, investment analysis, and ecosystem exploration.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the current IOST price?
As of now, the IOST price is $0.0034, with no significant movement over the last 24 hours.
How many IOST tokens are in circulation?
There are currently 26.21 billion IOST tokens in circulation, with a maximum supply capped at 90 billion.
Can I stake IOST tokens?
Yes, users can stake IOST by participating in network validation or contributing resources like storage and computation. Rewards are distributed based on contribution level and believability score.
What makes IOST different from other blockchains?
IOST stands out due to its Proof of Believability consensus, Efficient Distributed Sharding, and focus on enterprise-ready scalability—capable of handling up to 100,000 tps.
Is IOST available on major exchanges?
Yes, IOST is listed on several major cryptocurrency exchanges and is actively traded with substantial daily volume.
Does IOST support smart contracts?
Absolutely. IOST supports the development and deployment of high-throughput smart contracts, making it ideal for complex dApps requiring fast execution.
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Final Thoughts
IOST represents a compelling solution in the evolving landscape of scalable blockchain infrastructure. With its unique consensus model, robust architecture, and clear focus on real-world adoption, it offers both technical innovation and practical utility.
Whether you're an investor tracking IOST price trends, a developer building scalable dApps, or a business exploring blockchain integration, understanding the full scope of IOST’s capabilities is essential. As decentralized systems continue to mature, projects like IOST may play a pivotal role in shaping the future of digital services.